Mining machine



Sept. 6, 1932.

Filed June 5. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR il .U FT HNQ.--

...... 5% @w g g N h N3 MORRIS F2 HOLMES ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,875,335

1 MINING MACHINE I Filed June 3, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 12 +1s1i 116/ 10? Q1 INVENTOR M RR/s R HoLmzs BY MA'WW' ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1932. M. P.-HOLMES 1,875,335

MINING MACHINE Filed June 3, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 KW INVENTOR 1Z9 1 MORRIS P Homsa BY MAW ATTORNE Y Patented Sept. 6, 1932 iJNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF OLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed June}, 1929. SeriaLNo. 367,894.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly but not exclusively, pertains to coal mining machines of theflexibly fed, continuous cutter type.

An object of this invent-ion is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, continuous cutter type having improved feeding and guiding niechanism. A further object is to provide an improved bottom cutting mining machine of the room and pillar type having improved machine feeding and guiding mechanism wherein separate relatively rotatable feeding and controlling members and separate flexible feeding elements cooperating respectively therewith are employed for feeding and guiding the machine along the coal face. Still another object is to provide in a machine of the aforesaid type improvedmotor driven plural speed transmission connections for each of the feeding and controlling members whereby the latter may be rotated either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding elements at a relatively slow cutting speed or at a rela tively high machine moving speed. It is also an object of this invention to provide ina mining machine of the aforesaid type im- 59 proved driving and controlling means for the feed operating and controlling members whereby saidmembers may rotate in aldirec tion to pay out said flexible feedingelementsv under various degrees of operator-controlled frictional resistance, or to permit said members to rotate freely in a direction to payout said flexible feeding element s. Another ob ject is to provide in a mining machineof the aforesaid type improved feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable winding drums mounted in an improved manner on the machine and having separate plural speed driving connections whereby the feed, drums may be rotated in winding direction either at the same time or separately at. a plurality of predetermined speeds. Yetanother object is to provide improved guiding means for the flexible feeding means of a flexibly fed coal A mining machine. Still another object is to provide an improved coal miningmachine of the room and pillar lowvein type which is fexceedinglylow in height. Anotherobject is to provide an improved lowvein, room and pillar mining machine having improved feeding and cutting mechanisms driven respectively from opposite ends of a low compact horizontal motor arranged between the feeding and cutting mechanisms, the parts be ing so arranged and'constructed as to make the machine extremely compact, both vertically and laterally withoutincreasing the overall dimension of the machine. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will, however, be clearly apparent from the following description and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings, V i

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved mining machine, the cutter bar being broken away andthe arrangement of the feed cables when cutting from left to right being indicated by dotted mes. Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the improved mining machine.

. Fig. 4: is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken substantially on line H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially 'on line 5-5 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 6. is a vertical longitudinally extending sectional view takensubstantially on line Fig. 8is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig.6. i 7 i Fig. 9, is a longitudinally extending vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 5. g

' Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating the improved operating mechanism for the feed controlling clutches.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken on line 1111 of Fig. 10.

r Fig. 12 is a detail View illustrating the front swing arm and pivoted guide for the feed cable.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on line 13-13 of i-g. .12.

In this illustrative construction there is shown a mining machine of the flexibly fed, lowvei-n, continuous cutter type of an exceedingly low compact design especially adapted to use in cutting low coal in accordance with the room and pillar system of mining, although it is obvious that various fea tures of the invention may be employed in coalmining machines of various other types. The. improved mining machine generally comprises a low compact machine frame .1 of generally rectangular shape having .a smooth plane bottom surface .2 upon which the ma chine is adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor. The machine frame 1 comprises a central motor section 3 mounted upon a bed section 4 and interposed between the feed and cutter sections 5. and '6 respectively. The frame sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 are rigidly secured together in any appropriate manner and when united form a machine body providing arigid flat frame or shoe upon which the-various mechanisms of the machine are supported. Rigidly secured to the cutter frame section 5 and projecting forwardly lengthwise of the machine frame is .a horizontal plane cutter bar 7 carrying on its margin jan orbitally movable cutter bit carrying cutter chain 8. The machine is adapted 'to be propelled bodily laterally transversely across the coalface and guided during such feedingby flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding and controlling elements 9 and 10 coopcrating respectively with relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members 11 and 12 arranged on transverse axes at the rear end of the machine on opposite sides of the latter, the flexible feeding means and feed operating and controlling members herein being in the form of separate cables or ropes cooperating with winding-drums. The cable 10 is wound about the winding drum 12 in a drection opposite from that which the cable 9 is wound on the drum 11 but as these drums are driven opposite directions, the cables are both drawn in by power. The central motor section 3 of the machine frame houses a horizontal motor 13 adapted to drive the feeding and cutting mechanisms iii-either of opposite directions and which may be of the reversible electric type, of a low compact design having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. r

The cutting mechanism, as shown in the drawings, specifically comprises .a bevel pinion 14 suitably fixed to the forward end of the motor shaft and meshing with a bevel gear 15 herein formed integral with the vertical shaft 16. This shaft 16 is suitably journaled in ball bearings 17 and has also formed integral therewith a spur pinion 18 meshing with a larger spur gear 19. The spur gear 19 has a depending hub portion :20 journaled on ball bearings 21 surrounding and supported by a vertical stud 22. As shown, the stud 22 is thre'a'dedly connected at its opposite ends r permanent clutch 31 to the hub of a cutter.

chain drive sprocket 32. This cutter chain drive sprocket 32 isrotatably mounted on ball bearings 33 surrounding and supported by the vertical stud 22. The hub '29 of the clutchmember .28 'is interposed between the lower bearing 21 for the gear 19 and the upper. bearing 33 for thesprocket The bearings 33 and the sprocket 32 are maintained in operative relation by means of a cup-shaped member or step bearing 34 in turn held in position by a detachable bottom plate 35. The frame section 6 is provided with adepending cylindrical portion 36 having formed therein a bore 37 within which is vertically reciprocable a cylindrical clutch shipper member 38 connected to a. clutch member 39 having internal clutch teeth adapted to cooperate with the teeth on the clutch members .27 and 30. As shown in Fig.

4 the clutch shipper member 38 is adapted to be shifted axially by means of a. lever 40 pivotally mounted at 41 in a suitable manner within the cutter frame section and connected at 42 to the clutch shipper memben The other end of thislever is pivotally connected at 43 to a link 44 in turn pivotally connected at 45 to an-arm 46.. This arm is suitably fixed to a horizontal shaft-47 extending transverse- 1y of the machine and having secured thereto at its opposite ends suitable control handles 48 (see igsul and 2)-. ,As illustrated the cutter bar 7 has formed thereon an upstanding annular portion 49 mounted on the de pending portion 3.6 'of the cutter frame section and rigidly fixed to the cutter frame by screws 50. The lower portion of the cutter bar has an annular bottom support 51 surrounding and supported by the stepplate 34. It will be evident thatwhen the clutch member 39 is in the position shown in Fig. 4t the clutch members 2 7 and 30 are connected and asa result the cutter chain driving sprocket is connected in driving relation with the motor The cutter chain drive sprocket maybe disconnected from the motor by simply shifting the member 38 upwardly to disconnect the clutch teeth on the {)nember 39 from the teeth on the clutch memer 30. 1 1

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention improved separate plural speed driving connections are provided. between the motor 13 and the winding drums 11 and 12 whereby the latter may be rotated in winding direction eitherv separately or simultaneously at a relatively low cutting speed or ata relatively high machine moving speed, or may rotate in unwinding direction under various degrees of frictional resistance or freely. As shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 9 these improved driving connections comprise a spurpinion 52 rigidly secured as by a key and screw con nection 53 to the rear-end of the motorshaft. This pinion 52 meshes with a spur gear 54 journaled on ball bearings 55 supported by a horizontal longitudinally extending stud sh aft 56 disposed parallel with and in a plane below the motor shaft and suitably rigidly fixed within the feed frame section 5. The spur gear 54 meshes with spur gears 57 and 58 suitably rigidly secured as by keys 59 to horizontal shafts 60 and 61 respectively disposed on horizontal longitudinally extending axes spaced equi-distantly from the longitudinal vertical center of the machine; Theseshafts are journaled within the lower partof the feed frame section withinball bearings 62 and 63. The slow speed driving connections for the winding drums 11 and 12 comprise worms 64 and 65 herein having teeth of the same lead and direction and meshing respectively with worm wheels 66 and 67. As clearly shown in Fig. 8, these worm wheels are fixed at 68, as by keying, to vertical shafts 69 and 7 0 respectively disposed at opposite sides 7 of the feed frame section, these worm wheels meshing with the worms 64 and 65 at the opposite sides thereof and they are thereby driven at the same'speed in opposite directions. The shafts 69 and 70 are iournaled at their upper and lower ends within ball bearings 71 and 72 respectively, suitably-'sup-- ported within the feed frame section. Secured to the vertical shafts 69 and 70respectively are worms 73 and 74 having teeth of the same lead and direction and meshing respectively with worm wheels 75 and 76. These worm wheels 75 and 76 are journaled on ball bearings 77 and 78 respectively, sup,- ported by transversely extending horizontal shafts 79 and 80 as clearly shown in Fig. 5 and are respectively: connectible to' these shafts by means of friction clutches 81 and 82. As the friction clutches within the worm wheels 75 and 76 are substantially identical in construction, the description of one will suffice for both. Referring more particularly to the friction clutch 81 within the worm wheel 75, it will be observed that the same comprises a series of clutch plates 83 carried by the worm wheel and interleaved with a series of clutch plates 84 carried by a clutch member'85 keyed at 86 to the shaft 79. This clutch member 85 surrounds the shaft 79 and forms a support for the ball bearing 77 on which the worm wheel is journaled, the ball bearings 78 being supported directly on the shaft. The operating means for the friction clutches 81 and 82 will be later described. As illustrated, the transverse shafts 7 9 and 80 are arranged in axial alinement at the rear end of themachine frame and are journaled at their outer ends within ballbearings 86 supported by the sides of the feed frame section. The inner adjacent ends of the shafts 79 and 80 are journaled within ball bearings 87; Herein formed integral with the outer ends of the shafts 7 9 and 80 respectively, are spur gears 88 and 89 meshing with internal gears 90 and 91 respectively, herein formed integral with the winding drums 11 and 12. The winding drums 11 and 12 are each journaled on ball bearings 92, 93 supported on laterally projecting stub shaft 94 secured by screws 94 to the opposite sides of the feed frame section, the stub shafts 94 being, if desired, coaxially arranged and disposed parallel with and slightly in front of the alined transverse shafts 79 and 80 Each of these windin drums is composed of two parts secured together by screws 95 and suitable dowel pinsand is held from axial displace ment from the stub shaft by means of a twopart or split sleeve 96 surrounding a reduced portion 97 on the stub shaft and engaging the inner races of the ball bearings 92 and 93. This two-part sleeve is held in place by a retaining sleeve 98, and the complete bearing structure for each drum is disposed in a bore 99 within the drum. Secured to the opposite sides of the feed frame section by bolts 100 are plates 101 each having an annular flanged portion 102 encircling the outer periphery of the internal gears 90 and 91 respectively, carried by the winding drums. These flanged portions 102 each carry packing rings 103 engaging the outer periphery of the internal gears and thereby preventing access of dirt or other foreign substances into the internal mechanism.

' It will thus be seen that when the clutch 81 within the worm wheel 75 is applied, the winding drum 11 may be driven from the motor at a relatively slow speed through pine ion 52, spur gears 54, 57, shaft 60, worm 64, worm wheel 66, vertical shaft 69, worm 73, worm wheel 75, clutch plates 83 and 84,

shaft 79,'and spur gear 88 meshing with inpermit the cables to unwind from the diamunder various degrees of frictional resistance under the control of the clutch :oper ating mechanism. Upon release of the friction clutches the drums may be entirely relieved from any frictional resistance due to the action of the friction clutches.

The fast speed driving connections for the winding drum-s 11 and 12 comprise worms 105 and 106 having oppositely inclined teeth of the same lead and suitably rigidly fixed to the shafts and 61 respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 9. These wormsu and 106 mesh respectively with worinwheel-s. 107 and 108 journaled at their adjacent sides within ball bearings 109 supported within .a centrally disposed bearing bracket 110 in turn suitably supported within the feed frame ection 5. These worm wheels are journaled --.t their opposite or remote sides within ball e-arings 111 supported by the shafts 79 and 80. As clearly shown in 5, the adjacent hub portions of these worm wheels 107 and 108 form supports for the ball bearings '87 within which the inner adjacent ends of the shafts 79 and 80 are journaled. These worm wheels are connecti'ble to the shafts 7-9 and 80 respectively by means of friction clutches 112, 113. These clutches each comprise series of clutch plates 114 carried by the worm wheel and interleaved with a corresponding series of clutch plat-es 115 carried by a clutch member 116 keyed at 117 to its respective shaft. The operating means for the friction clutches 112 and 113 will hereinafter be described.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the friction clutch 112 is applied the winding drum 11 may be driven "rom the motor at a relatively high speed through spur pinion 52, gears 54, 57, shaft 60, worm 105 worm wheel 107., shaft 79., and spur gear 88 meshing with the internal gear 90 secured to the winding drum 11. The Winding drum 12 may be driven from the motor at relatively fast speed in the opposite directionthrough a similar train ofgean ing upon suitable application of the friction clutch 113. r

The operating mechanism for the fast and slow speed control clutches 112, 81 and 113 82, for the winding drums 11 and 12 'respec tively, will now be described. Surrounding the shafts 79 and 80 and interposed between the worm wheels 75, 107 and 76, 108 respectively, are clutch applying members 119., 120. Each of these clutch applying members has interposed therebetween and its respec-' 'tive clutch plates suitable thrust bearings 121. Engaging a peripheral groove on each of the clutch members 119, 120 is a shipper yoke 123 pivotally connected at 124 within the feed frame section. Connected to each of the shipper yolres 123 is a trunnion 125 threadedly connected at 126 to a threaded portion 127 on a hollow The shafts 128 are horizontally disposed and extend transversely of the machine in the rear of and slightly above the alined shafts 79 and '80. These shafts are .journalecl at their outer endsin ball bearings 129 suit-ably supported within the sides of the feed frame section and have formed thereon clutch teeth 130 with which clutch teeth .131 formed on an operating lever 132-are adapted to cooperate. The operating lever 132 is connected by a pin 133 to one end of a rod 134 extending transversely across the machine centrally through the shafts 128. Secured by a pin 135 tothe opposite end of the rod 134 is a similar operating lever 136. This rod 134 carries atone end a, spring pressed plunger 137 which is engageable with spaced grooves 138 formed within one of the shafts 128 and this plunger and these grooves cooperate to look the operating rod 134 in its diii'erent adjusted positions. It will thus be seen that when the lever 132 is shoved inwardly the clutch teeth 130 and 131 are connected while the clutch teeth on the lever 136 and the other shaft 128 are disconnected. Upon rotation of the lever 132 when so positioned the shaft 1.28 is rotated, thereby moving the trunnion nut 125 axially'rela-tive to the shaft; swinging the shipper yoke 123 about its pivot and applying one or 'theother of the friction clutches 81, 112 within the worm wheels 7 5 and 107 respectively. It will also be evident that when the lever 136 is shoved inwardly and connected to the adjacent shaft 128, the

operating means for the clutches 82 and 113 may be actuated.

As illustrated, .alined with the shaft 61 and clutched thereto at 140 is a shaft 141. The

shaft 141 :is journaled at its forward end within :an adjacent ball bearing 63 for the shaft 61 while the rearward end of theshaft 141 is journaled in a ballbearing 142 suitably supported within the feed frame section. Secured to the shaft 141 is a worm 143 meshing with a worm wheel 144 keyed at 145 to a vertical shaft 146. This shaft is journaled in ball bearings 1457 suitably supported by the feed frame section and has keyed thereto at its upper end at 148 a spur gear 149 which herein constitutes the final truck driving gear on the machine. This spur gear is adapted to mesh with a truck drivinggear on a transport truck in a well known manner the mining machine being adapted to be supported 1 upon and drive the wheels of the truck. It will thus be seen that when the machine is being propelled about the mine while mounted on its transport truckthe motor 13 of the machine is adapted todrive the truck wheels through pinion 52, gears 54, 58, shaft 61, worm 143, worm gear 144, vertical shaft 146, and spur gear 149.. 1

Improved guiding means are also employed for guiding the feed cables 9 and 10 during the difierent operations of the. machine. Secured to the opposite sides of the cutter frame section at the forward end of the machine are guide sheaves and 151. An improved adjustab-le mounting is provided for each of these guide sheaves which herein comprises a support men1berl52 having a bifurcated outer end supportinga stud 153 on which the guide sheave is journaled. The inner end of this support 152 isprovided with a cylindrical portion 15% rotatably mounted within a bore 155 formed within the lower end of a pivoted swing arm 156. Thearm 156 is pivotally connected at 157 to a 'bracket158 secured by a screw 159 to the side of the frame. A suitable releasable locking pin 160 is employed for holding the swing arm 156 'in the position shown in Fig. 12, it being ob vious that when thelocking pin 160 is released the guide sheave carried thereby may swung upwardly over the top of the machine in its out of the way position. The pivoted support member 152 is held in position within the lower end of'the swing arm 156 by means of a pin 161 which, when the support 152 is swung into aposition wherein the sheave is disposed in a vertical plane, may enter a groove 162 in the swing arm thereby permitting axial release ofthe bearing support 15 1 from the bore 155. It will also be noted that the support 152 has a central bore 163 and a communicating lateral slot 164; When the support isreleased from the swing arm 156 the feed cable may be passed through the bore 155 in theswing arm and reeved about the guide sheave, the support 152 thereafter being inserted and locked within the bore 155. The support 152 is adapted to rotate within the lower end of the swing arm to position the guidesheave at various angles thereby permitting the feed cable to be extended laterally atvarious angles from the side of the machine. Atop-v positc sides of the rear end of the machine frame there are provided sets of guide sheaves 165, 166 and 1,67, 168. As the mountings for these sets of guide sheaves are identical, the description of the mounting for the set of guide sheaves 16 5 and 166 will suflice for both. Referring more particularly to- Fi g. 7 will be noted that the guide sheave is journaled on a bearingsleeve 169 supported by a vertical stud 170; carried by the feed frame section. Also pivotally mounted on the stud 170 is a horizontal swing arm 171 carrying at its outer end a hollow stud 172 supporting a bearing sleeve 173 on which the guide sheave 166 is journaled. The swing arm 171 is adapted to be swung outwardly as indicated in dotted lines'in Fig. 1 and inwardly to the full line position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 and locked in this-latter position by means of a vertical spring pressed locking pin 174 and a locking'aperture 175'formed in the frame of the machine. This locking pin isprovided at its upper end with a knob 176 by means of which the pin may be manually lifted out of engagement with the lockmg aperture to release the swing arm from the frame. As shown in Fig. 5 each of the swing arms 171 is provided with an abutment surface 17. wh ch is engageable when the arm is in its extreme outer position with an abutment surface 178 formed on the feed frame section. lVhen'the parts are in the position shown in big. 1, that 1s, when the machine is cutting from right to left, the feed cable 9 extends from the bottom of thefeed drum 11 forwardly along the sideof the machine,through the passage 163 in the bearing support 15 1 and around tne sheave 150 laterally from the forward end of the machine passed around the front guide sheave 151 and the cable 9 is passed about the rear guide sheaves 165 and 166, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. If desired thev guide sheave 150, 151 which is not in'use may be swung up out of the way against the side of the machine frame. r i 5 The operation of the improved mining machine is as follows. The machine is propelled aboutw themine while mounted on its transport truck, the truck wheels being driven from the driving motor 13 of the machine. When the working place is reached, the machine isunloaded fromthe truck in a well known manner. If it is desired to cut from right to left, the cable 10 is extended from the winding drum 12 'rearwardly around guide sheave 168 and then forwardly along the side of the machine and around the front guide sheave 151 to-a suitable anchor or roof jack disposed at the right hand rib. The operator then swings the lever 136 in the proper direction to rotate the shaft 128 in a direction to swing the shipper yoke 123 about its pivot thereby to apply the friction clutch. 113 within the fast speed worm wheel 108,

and as a result the winding drum 12 is driv en'from the motor 13 at a relatively high machine moving speed winding in the cable 10 and sliding the machine bodily over the mine-bottom to a position acent the face at the right hand rib, the friction clutch 113 thereafter being released. The other feed cable 9011 the drum ll may be used durin this machine moving operation or if desire both cables may be used. I After the machine is suitably positionedadjacent the coal face the cable 10 is-disconnected from the guide sheave151'while still retaining its connection with thejack at the-right hand rib and the advance feeding cable 9 is extended from the feed drum 11 forwardly along the advancing side. of the machine and around guide sheave 1'50. laterally from the machine to a suitable anchor or roofjack disposed atthe left hand rib adjacent the coal face. The operator thenswings the cutter chain clutch control winding drum 12 is rotated'ata slow cutting speed, winding in the cable 10 and moving the machine bodlly in a forward direction,

thereby sumping the cutter-bar longitudinal- 1y beneath the coal the'winding drum 11 maintaining the advance feed cable 9' under tension under control of friction clutch; 81 thereby guiding the machine during; its sumping movement. It will be noted thatiif desired thecutter bar may be sumped beneath tl1ecoal=by;. means of the feed cable Q-and winding drum 11, or if desired both the cables 9 and '10 may be simultaneously wound in to-sump in the cutter bar. Theslowspeed clutch 81 within theslow speed worm wheel 7 Sis then applied and the winding drum 11 is rotated at a slowspeed drawing in the advance feed cable 9 thereby straightening up the machine and feeding the machine. bodily later-allytransversely acrossf the face ofthe coal. During the transverse cutting; opera-. tion the receding or, controlling cable 10 is paid outby the controlling drum 12. under frictional resistance, the drum 12- tending to wind in the-cablelO at=a slow speed,;but due to the opposing forces tending-to move the rear end of the machine forwardly, thefric tiondrive clutchvfor the drum slipping sufficiently to-permit the unwinding of the-cable; It will furtherlbe evident; that the drum 1?. mayberotated in winding direction at "a: relatively lowspeed or ata high speedat .willto effect movement of-the real-end :ofi-the -ma.- chine rearwardly to angle the cutter bararelae tive to the coal face. The forwardendofthe machine maybe swung for-ward, upon application of-jthe fast speed drive clutch for the feed drum ll or=;slowing; down or interrupting paying; out of {cable-10S It will also be noted that the rear end of the machinemay be swung forward by releasing.- the friction clutchpontrollingthe drum l2 thereby-permitting the drum 12- to unwind freely, the pull ;ofthe fe'ed cable 9-jon the forward end of; the machine causingthe machine -t-o'sswing. At the, endof the transverse cut. the feed drum 11 is'retated infiwinding direction; at avrela tively high speed and'the cutter bar is angled relativeto the coalqface inawell known'manner. The cables gare then -,di'sc.onnected\ from theirjacks, and the feed cable .9 is extendedzto an anchor or roof jack at the rear: end" ofthe machine and the druinll. is rotated in a Wind'- ing; direction at a: slow speed; and the cutter bar withdrawn from beneath the coal.

If desired the cable 10 and drum 12 may be used to retractv the machine from the face. One or the other of the cables 9, 10 is then extended to a jack near the transport truck and the cableiswound-in at awfast machine moving speed thereby hauling; the machine .over the mine floor andonto its transport truck. The truck is then propelled alongthe mine trackway by the mining machine motor 13 through the truck driving gear on the machine to another working place. When it is desired tooper-atethe machine to cut from left to right it is evident that the motor may be reversed; the cutter bits turned in their respective-linlis, and the cables re-Wound on their respective drums. These and other 7 operations. of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art;

Asa result?- ofhthis; invention it will be noted that. an improved mining machine feeding; mechanism is provided wherein the winding drums may be driven in winding direction either separately orv simultaneously to be driven and controlled entirely independently; of- .each- "other. It will further be noted that.the improved feeding; mechanism is ofan. exceedingly compact and symmetrical design the pluralspeed drive for each feed member being substantially identical in structure andtherefore arsubstantial number of parts of the feed are duplicates and the cost ofmanufactureand replacement is thereby. materially decreased.

l/Vhile. Ihave in. this application. specifically described one form which. my invention mayassume. in practice, itwill be understood thatthis form ofthe same is shown forpurposes of illustration. and that the invention maybe modified. and embodied in various'other forms without. departing from its spirit. or. the scope of the appended claims.,.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentist.

LIn a miningflmachine, amotor, cutting mechanism driven. thereby including an elongated kerf cutter,r. and feeding mechanism! driven by said motor including relatively rotatable" feed operating and control+ ling; members each. adapted to cooperate with.flexiblefeedingtmeans and disposed on axes parallel to a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine, andv mecnanism for driving said members in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously at a relatively low cutting speed or at a relatively high chine, moving speed including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each of said members, and a plurality of manually. controllable friction controlling clutches, one individual to each gear train foreachmemb6l,'f01 controlling-zthe connection of said members to their respective gear trains.

2. In a mining. machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including an elongated kerf cutter, 1 and feeding means driven by. said motorxincluding relatively rotatable feed. operatingj and controlling members arranged on axes extending transversely of themachine andeach adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving and controlling mechanism for said members includingfor each member a separate fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, and a plurality of manually controllable friction controlling clutches, one'individual to each gear train for each member, for connecting said members to their respective gear trains to effect rotation thereof either separately or simul taneously at relatively slow speed or at relatively higlispeed. a f Y 3. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operatingand controlling members arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving and, controlling mechanism for said members including for each member a separate fast speed geartrain-and a slow speed gear train, and a plurality of manually controllable friction controlling clutches, one individual to each gear train for each memher, for connecting said members to their respective gear trains to effect rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed or to permit rotation thereof under various degrees of frictional resistance.

1-. In a mining machine,ja'motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby: including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed Operating and controlling members arranged on axes extending trans-- versely of the p cooperate directly With flexible feeding means, and driving and controlling mechanism for said members including for each member a separate fastspeed gear train and a slow speed gear train, and plurality of manually controllable friction controlling clutches, pone individual-to each gear I train machine and each adapted'to for each member, for connecting said members to their respective gear trains to effect rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed, or to permit rotation thereof under various degrees of frictional resistance or without such resistance.

5. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including an elon gated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor includingrelatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed drivingmeans for said members including sep-v arate' fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, and a plurality of manually operable friction controlling clutches one individual to each gear train for, each member.

6. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means, driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disl posed on axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission means between said motor and said members including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch for one member, and a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed-friction controlling clutch for the other member whereby said members may be independently driven at either a relatively low speed or a ralatively high speed. 7

'7. In a mining machine, a motor, utting mechanism driven thereby including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission means between said motor and said members including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch. for one member, and a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch for the other member whereby said members may be driven in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously at a relatively slow cutting speed or at a relatively high machine moving speed.

' 8. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on axes extending transversely of the -machine and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission means between said motor and said members including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch for one member, and a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow friction controlling clutch for the other member whereby said members may be driven in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously at a relatively slow cutting speed or at a relatively high machine moving speed or ma rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under various degrees of operator-controlled frictional resistance.

9. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby including anelongated lrerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members dispose on axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission means between said motor and said members including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch for one member, and a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch. for the other member whereby saidmembers may be driven in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously a relatively slow cutting speed or at a relatively high machine moving speed, or may rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under-various degrees of operator-controlled frictional resistance or may freely rotate in the paying out direction. 1 r V 10. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for one member and separate'fast and slow speed worm gear trains for'said other member whereby said members may be independei'iflv driven at either a relatively high speed or at a relatively slow speed.

11. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a

motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and arranged on axes extendingtransversely of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains .for one member and separate fast and slow speed Worm gear trains for said other member whereby said. members may be driven either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at a relatively low speed or at a relatively high speed 12. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanismdriven by said motor including.- an' elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feedoperating and controlling members'each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding meansand arranged on axes extending-transversely ofthe. machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and. slow speed worm gear trains for one member and separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for said other member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at a relatively low speed or at a relatively high speed or may rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under. various degrees of frictional resistance.

13. In a mining machine, a'machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine, and pluralspeed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for one member and separate fast and slow speed Worm gear trains for said other member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in saidfiexible feeding means at a relatively low speed or at a relatively high speed or may rotate in a direction to payout said flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional resistance or without such resistance.

14. In a miningmachine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for one member and separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for said other member whereby said members may be independently driven at either a relatively high speed or at a relatively slow speed, each of said worm gear trains including a separate friction controlling clutch.

15. fin a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongatedlrerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding me as an d arranged on axes extending transvorsely of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for one member and separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains for said other member whereby said members may be independcntly driven at either a relatively high speed or at relatively slow speed, each of said worm gear trains including a final worm whcel,'said worm wheels being rotatable on axes extending transversely of the machine.

16. In a mining machine, a'machine frame sli dable on its bottom on'themine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said mote; including relatively rotatable feed op erating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed worm gear trains'for one member and separate 'fast' and slow speed worm gear trains for said other member whereby members may be independently driven at either a relatively high speed or at a relativelyslow speed, each of said worm gear trains including a final worm wheel, said worm wheels-being coaxially arranged and rotatable on axes extending transversely of the machine.

17. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried b said frame, and cut-ting mecha nism, driven by said motor including the elonkerf cutter, and feeding means driven by sa'd motor ncluding relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each a dapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, said 1: four trains including four final transsion gears coaxiallyarra nged on axes exng transversely of the machine.

i0. In a minin machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a n1otorcarried by said frame, and cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed dr' ing means for said members includmg separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, said driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed op erating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission means for each member each including a horizontal drive shaft, said shafts being arranged in axial alinement, and driving connections between each of said shafts and its respective member;

20. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom'on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed driving connections nism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and separate plural speed driving connections for each member including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, said gear trains each including a separate friction controlling clutch and said clutches being coaxially arranged, two of said friction clutches controlling the fast and slow speed drive for each member.

22. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operatingand controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and separate plural speed driving connections for each member including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, said gear trains each including a .23. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable onits bottom on the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of'said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission connections for each member, the transmissionconnections fer one member being separate and distinct from the transmission connections for the other member whereby said members may be independen-tly driven at relatively slow and relatively high speeds.

24. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a horizontal mot-or carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission connections for each member, the transmission connections for one member being separate and distinct from the transmission connections for the other member and each transmission connection including a separate frictional controlling elutch whereby said members may be independently driven either separately or simultaneously. I

25. In a mining machine, a machine frame 'slidable on its bottom on the mine floor, a

horizontal motor carried by said frame having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including an elongated kerf cutter, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and plural speed transmission connections for each member, the transmission connections for one "member being separate and distinct from thetransmission connections for the other member, each transmission connection including a separate frictional controlling clutch whereby said members may be means including a machine feeding element and a cooperating flexible element and guiding means for guiding said flexible element relative to said feeding element includ ing a guide sheave, normally disposed on a substantially vertical axis, and a horizontal pivotal mounting for said sheave having a passage through its pivotal axis through which said flexible element is adapted to extend into engagement with said sheave.

28. In a mining machine, machine feed ing means including a machine feeding element and a cooperating flexible element and guiding means for guiding said flexible element relative to said feeding element including a guide'sheave, a horizontally swingable support for said sheave mounted on the machine, said sheave being mounted on said support at the end thereof opposite from its pivot, and means arranged adjacent said sheave for locking said swingable support in one position.

29. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be rotated either separately or simultaneously :at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including fast and slow speed terminal gears for each transmission mechanism, a terminal gear of one transmission mechanism being arranged coaxially with a terminal gear of said other mechanism, and manually controllable friction controlling clutches, one in dividual to each terminal gear, for connecting said members in driving relation with their respective terminal gears.

30. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be rotated either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including fast and slow speed terminal gears for each trans mission mechanism, said terminal gears for bothtransmissionanechanismsbeing arranged in coaxial relation, and manually controllable friction controlling clutches, one individual to each terminal gear, for connecting said members in driving relation with their relation with their respective terminal gears.

31. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct-plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members maybe rotated either separately or simultaneously'at relatively high speed or at relatively low'speed, said transmission mechanisms including aligned shafts, driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each shaft having fast and slow speed terminal gears, and connections between said gears and their respective shafts. i

32. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member where'- by said members may be rotated either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including aligned shafts, driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each shaft having fast and slow speed terminal gears arranged coaXially with their respective shafts, and connections between said gears and their respective shafts.

33. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed,said transmission mechanisms including aligned shafts, driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, and a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each shaft. V

34. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at. relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including aligned shafts,

driving connections between said shafts and I said members respectively, and a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train for each shaft,said gear trains each having a terminal element coaxial with their respec tive shafts.

35. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said trans- 7 mission mechanisms including aligned shafts, driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, a fast speed gear train and a'slow speed'gear train for each shaft said ear trains each havin terminal elements coaxial with their respective shafts, v

37. A mining machine feeding mechanism 1";

including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and motor operated driving means for said members including alignedshafts, driving connections between said feed members and their respective shafts, and a separate and distinct-fast and slow speed wormgear train for each shaft and including a fast speed worm wheel and a slow speed worm wheel coaxial with each'shaft.

38. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including aligned shafts, driving connections between said feed members and their respective shafts, a fast and slow speed worm gear train for each shaft and including a fast speed worm wheel and a slow speed worm wheelcoaxial ago with each shaft, and manually controllable clutches for connecting said worm wheels to their respective shafts.

39. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a shaft individual to each member, said shafts being arranged in axial alignment, fast and slow speed gear trains for each shaft, and selectively operable controlling clutches, one for each gear train coaxial with said shafts.

40. A mining machine feeding mechanism includingrelatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including shafts, one individual to each member,said shafts being arranged in axial alignment, a fast speed gear train and slow speed gear train for each shaft, and selectively operable friction controlling clutches for connecting said gear train to their respective shafts.

41. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,'and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed worm gear train for each member, one gear train for each member including a horizontal worm and a worm wheel meshing therewith.

42. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving, means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed worm gear trainfor each member, one gear train for each member including a horizontal worm and a worm wheel meshing therewith and rotatable about a ver tical axis.

43. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed worm gear train for each member, one gear train I for each member including a horizontal Worm, a worm wheel meshing therewith, and a worm driven by said worm wheel.

44. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmis sion mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including'a separate and distinct fast and slow speed Worm gear train for each member, one gear train for each member including a horizontal worm, a worm wheel meshing therewithand rotatable about a vertical axis, and a worm driven by said wormwheel.

45. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said trans mission mechanisms including fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, one gear train for each member including a worm rotating on a horizontal axis, a worm wheel meshing therewith, the worm of one gear train being arranged parallel with the worm of the other gear train.

46. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members disposed with their axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each member, the gear trains for each member each including a final terminal element, the terminal elements of the gear trains for both members having their axes arranged parallel to a common straight line.

47. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members disposed with their axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanism including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each member, the gear trains for each member each including a final terminal element, the terminal elements of the gear trains for both members having their axes arranged parallel to a common straight line, and selectively operable clutches for connecting said members in driving relation with their respective terminal gears 48. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including worms rotating on angularly relaxed axes and a worm wheel meshing with each worm.

A9. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including worms rotating on angularly related axes and a worm wheel meshing with each worm and a manually con trollable clutch for connecting the final worm wheel of each mechanism in driving relation with its respective feed member.

50. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including worms rotating on angularly related axes, one of said worms being horizontally disposed, and a worm wheel meshing with each worm and a manually controllable clutch for connecting the final worm wheel of each mechanism in driving relation with its respective feedmember.

51. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism drivenby said motor including an elongated kerf cuta ripheral speeds both at a relatively fast pre-- determined moving speed and a relatively slow predetermined cutting speed and either capable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, one on, the advancingside of the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including a slow speed gear train and a fast speed gear train, and manually con-i trollable clutch mechanism including a friction controlling clutch individual to each gear train for selectively connecting said gear trains in driving relation with their respece tive winding members.

52. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined moving speed and a relatively slow predeterminedcntting speed; and either capable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transverse axes at the opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, one on the advancing side on the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, and each adapted to-cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for ef fecting rotation of said winding members in a direction to'draw in their respective flexible feeding means either separately or si multaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow' speed transmission gearing for each member, each gearing ineluding a fast speed friction controlling clutch'and a slow clutch;

53. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor car ried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerfcutter projecting from said frame, and feeding means driven by said motor including speed friction controlling,

relatively rotatable winding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined moving speed and a relatively slow predetermined cutting speed and either capable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transverse axes at the opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center'of the machine,one on the advancing side on the machine and the other onwthe receding side thereof, and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said winding members in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding meanseither separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, or to permit said winding members to revolve in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional resistance including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission gearing for each member, each gearing including v.a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch.

54. In a mining machine, .a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated kerfcutter projecting from said frame, and feed ing means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds both at a relatively fast predetermined moving speed and a relatively slow predetermined cutting speed and either capable of acting as a feed member and a controlling member, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transverse axes at the opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, one on the advancing side on the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said winding members in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, or to permit said winding members to revolve in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional resistance or without suchresistance including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission gearing for each member, each gearing including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch.

A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members disposed with their axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train individual to each member, each gear train having a friction controlling clutch, two friction clutches controlling each member.

56.. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members disposed with their axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train individual to each member, :each gear train having a friction controlling clutch, two friction clutches controlling eachomember, and said clutches being arranged on axes parallel to a common straight line.

57. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members disposed with their axes parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train individual to each member, each gear train having a friction controlling clutch, two friction clutches controlling each member and said clutches being arranged on axes parallel to a line parallel with the axes of said feed mem- 58 A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for :said members includ a fast speed gear train and a slow speed ar train individual to each member, each gear train having a frict on controlling clutch, two friction clutches cont-rolling each member, and all of said clutches being coaxially arranged. 1

'59. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving and controlling means forsaid members including a fast speed clutch and a slow speed clutch for each member, and mechanism for operating said clutches including an operating member for each set of clutches, aligned shafts, one connected with each operating member and means for separately rotating said shafts.

60. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving and controlling means for said members including a fast speed clutch and a slow speed clutch for each member, and mechanism for operating said clutches including an operating member for each set. of clutches, aligned shafts each having a threaded portion, a nut threadedly connected to the threaded portion of each shaft, connections between said nuts and said operating members for each set of clutches, and means for separately rotating said shafts to effect independent axial ad justment of said nuts.

61, A. mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding memhers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving and contro ling means for said members includ ng a fast speed clutch and a slow, speed clutch for each member, and mechanism for operating clutches includin an operating member for "i ling means for said members including a fast speed clutch and a slow speed clutch for each member, and mechanism for operating said clutches including an operating member for each set of clutches, aligned hollow shafts, one connected to the operating member for each set of clutches, and means for rotat said shafts including an operating rod e tendin axially therethrough and operating handles carried by the opposite ends of said rod.

63. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving and controb ling means for said members including a fast speed clutch and a slow speed clutch for each member, and mechanism for operating said clutches including an operating member for each set of clutches, aligned hollow shafts; one connected to the operating member for each set of clutches, and means for separat ly rotating said shafts including an operatmg rod extendingaxially therethrough and connecting devices carried by the opposite ends of said rod for alternatively connecting said shafts to said rod. 7 I g r 6%. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving and contr ling means for said members including a fr speed clutch and slow speed clutch for er. member, and mechanism for operating said clutches 'riclu ding an operating member for each set of clutches, aligned hollow shafts. one connected to the operating member for each set of clutches,,and means for separately rotating said shafts including an operat ing rod extending centrally "therethrough and mounted for axial movement Within said shafts and clutch devices carried by the opposite ends of said rod and alternatively connectlble to sale shafts.

65. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with fieniblefeeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each'member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed'or relatively low speed, each of said transmission mechanisms including aligned gears, a slow speed gear train driven by one of said aligned gears and a fast speed gear train driven by said other gear. V

66. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, each of said transmission mechanisms including aligned gearsrotatable at the same angular speed,a slow speed gear train driven by one of said aligned gears and a fast speed gear train driven by said other gear.

6?. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with fleXi ble feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, each of said transmis- V sion mechanisms including aligned gears rotat-mg with their axes disposed in vertical plane extending longitudinally of the machine, a slow speed gear train driven by one of said aligned gears and a fast speed gear train driven by said other gear.

68. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to coope ate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be driven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at sion mechanisms including aligned gears rotatable on horizontal axes extending longi tudinal'ly of the machine, a slow speed gear train drivenby one of said-aligned gears and a fast speed gear train driven by said other gear. 7

7 O; A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driv-' ing-means for saidinembersincluding separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be drlven either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at a relatively low speed, each of said transmission mechanisms lncludmg aligned Worms, aslow speed gear tram including a worm wheel meshingwith one of said aligned worms and a fast speed'gear train including a worm-wheel meshing with said other worm.

71;. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a centrally located motor'carried by said frame and having its j power shaft horizontally disposed and extendinglongitudinally of the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven from one end of said power shaft and including an elongated kerf. cutter projecting from the forward end of'saidframe, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said power shaft incluc ing relatively rotatable winding members, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the op posite sides of the longitudinal median line ofthe machine, one on the advancing side of the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, said members being disposedat,

the rear end of the machine remote from the end from which said kerf cutter projects and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible-feeding means, and a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanisr for each member for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively high'speed or at relatively low speed.

72. In a mining machine, a machine frame "adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carrled by said frame and having'its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, kerf: cutting mechanism dr ven from one endiof said power shaft and including an elongated kerf cutter projecting from the forward endof said frame, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable winding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds, said winding members being disposed on horizontal transversely eX- tending arms at the opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the machine, one on the advancing side of the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, said members being disposed at the rear end of the machine remote from the end from which said kerf cutter proj ects and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed orat relatively low speed.

1 3. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven from one end of said power shaft-and including an elongated kerf cutter projecting from the forward end of said frame, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said power shaft includ ing relatively rotatable winding members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds, said winding members being disposed on horlzontal transversely extending axesat the opposite sldes of the longitudinal median line of the machine, one onthe advancing side of the machine and the other on the receding side thereof, said members-being disposed at the rear end of the machine remote from the end from which said kerf'cutter projects and each adapted to coopcrate directly with flexible feeding means; and a separate and distinct plural speedtransmission mechanism for each member for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means'at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, each transmission mechanism including a slow speed gear train and a'fast speed gear train and manually controllable clutch mechanism for selectively connecting said gear trains in driving relation with their respective winding members.

74; In a mining-machine, a machine frame adapted torest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally ofthe machine, lzerf cutting i'mcchanism driven from'one end of said power shaft'and including an elongated 

